[BOAI] Press Release: Open Science - the future for research?

[Peter Suber]

[Forwarding from JISC-Announce.  --Peter Suber.]


Press Release

Open Science – the future for research?

As part of JISC’s ‘Research 3.0 – driving the knowledge economy’ activity
which launches at the end of November, a new Open Science report released
today trails key research trends that could have far-reaching implications
for science, universities and UK society.

The report written by UKOLN at the University of Bath and the Digital
Curation Centre, identifies open-ness, predictive science based on massive
data volumes and citizen involvement as being important features of
tomorrow’s research practice.

It is hoped that this document will stimulate and contribute to community
discussion in the UK, which is ranked second in the world for its output of
quality research, but also fuel the open science debate on the global stage.

As part of JISC’s data management programme JISC is discussing with UK
research funders and libraries on how best to build on recent initiatives,
such as the HEFCE-funded UK Research Data Service feasibility study, so as
to address the considerable challenges outlined in the Open Science report.

Neil Jacobs, programme manager at JISC, says, “There are important changes
in the way science exploits the potential of digital technologies. We are
not saying that the these trends go together - they may conflict - but what
we are looking to find out is to what extent they are happening now and what
researchers, librarians and others think their impact will be in the future.

“Where there is widespread access to the web, digital cameras and computers,
then citizens can become active participants in science, for example
collecting data on natural phenomena on a massive scale.  While this has
happened so far in isolated projects, the potential is now for a more
general shift in public participation in science,” added Neil.

The Open Science report looks at how technologies can support the open
movement to share data, workflows, methods and research outputs. It also
illustrates the vital role librarians could have in supporting these new
trends and the recognised need to build relationships between researchers
and librarians to support the research of the future.

Read the Open Science report at:
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/documents/opensciencerpt.aspx

Take part in the Open Science discussions and share your views at the
‘Research 3.0 – driving the knowledge economy’ blog
http://res3.jiscinvolve.org .

The views, comments and opinions posted on the blog will shape
JISC’s activities over the next 12 months so events cover areas the research
and education community feel strongly about.
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